What is the tastiest treat to tempt an armadillo? Armadillos are one of the most significant nuisance pests in Florida and much of the Southeast. There are no repellents, toxicants, or fumigants registered for use with them. They are good at both burrowing beneath and climbing over fences. There are also no effective methods for baiting them into traps. So the authors of this 3-page fact sheet set up a test to determine which materials have the greatest potential to serve as bait. Written by Holly K. Ober, Lucas W. DeGroote, and Russell F. Mizell III, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw362
Category: Environment
A Wireworm Conoderus scissus Schaeffer (EENY509/IN911)
Conoderus scissus is the most abundant wireworm species found in sweet potato fields. Its preference for other crops is followed by peanut, cowpea, and corn. Learn more in this 4-page fact sheet written by Dakshina R. Seal, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in911
Common Green Bottle Fly Sheep Blow Fly Luciia sericata (Meigen) (Insecta: Diptera: Calliphoridae) (EENY502/IN903)
The common green bottle fly is a common visitor to carrion, feces, and garbage. Like many of the other blow flies, it plays an important role in forensic, medical and veterinary science. Larvae or maggots help forensic scientists to determine the period of insect colonization as it relates to the time of death, aiding law enforcement in their investigations. Medical treatment using maggot therapy can help to heal infections that are otherwise incurable. Learn more in this 5-page fact sheet written by Matthew Anderson and Phillip E. Kaufman, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in903
Big-Eyed Bugs, Geocoris spp. (Insecta: Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) (EENY252/IN517)
Big-eyed bugs are among those insects receiving research attention in Florida (and elsewhere) for their value as predators. To aid in identification of big-eyed bugs in Florida, a key to adults and late instar nymphs is provided in this publication. This 6-page fact sheet was written by F. W. Mead, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, November 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in517
Florida Predatory Stink Bug (unofficial common name), Euthyrhynchus floridanus (Linnaeus) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) (EENY157/IN314)
The predatory stink bug is considered a beneficial insect because most of its prey consists of plant-damaging bugs, beetles, and caterpillars. It seldom plays more than a minor role in the natural control of insects in Florida, but its prey includes a number of economically important species. Learn more in this 5-page fact sheet written by Frank W. Mead and David B. Richman, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, November 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in314
Common Sharks of Florida (SGEF146/SG062)
Florida’s shark population is diverse and includes species that range in size from only a few feet to more than 40 feet in total length. The following species are among the most common. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Florida Sea Grant, and published by the UF Department of Sea Grant, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg062
Una Guía para Convivir con Felinos Silvestres (WEC316/UW361)
En Belice, el Centro de Investigaciones de Campo Lamanai (CICL) y la Universidad de la Florida están estudiando los gatos usando trampas-cámaras las cuales se han colocado dentro de varios locales de terrenos privados. Contrario a lo que la gente considera, esta investigación sugiere que existe una mayor cantidad de felinos silvestres habitando cerca de las fincas. This 3-page informational brochure is the Spanish language version of A Guide to Living with Wildcats (WEC314/UW359). It highlights 5 species of wildcats living in the area of the study, tips for keeping livestock safe, and local contacts. Written by Venetia S. Briggs, Rebecca G. Harvey, Frank J. Mazzotti, and William M. Giuliano, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw361
A Guide to Living with Wildcats [brochure] (WEC314/UW359)
In Belize, the Lamanai Field Research Center and University of Florida are studying cats using camera traps placed in a variety of locations on private lands. This research suggests that more wild cats live near farms than people are aware of. This 3-page informational brochure highlights 5 species of wildcats living in the area of the study, tips for keeping livestock safe, and local contacts. Written by Venetia S. Briggs, Rebecca G. Harvey, Frank J. Mazzotti, and William M. Giuliano, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw359
A Flesh Fly Sarcophaga crassipalpis Macquart (Insecta: Diptera: Sarcophagidae) (EENY503/IN905)
Sarcophaga crassipalpis is commonly used in laboratories to study gene expression, diapause processes, and physiological processes. It also has a significant impact in other areas of science including parasitology and forensic entomology. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Lazaro A. Diaz and Phillip E. Kaufman, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in905
Assessing the Survival of the Redbay Ambrosia Beetle and Laurel Wilt Pathogen in Wood Chips (FOR289/FR351)
What is the best way for homeowners to dispose of dead redbay trees to avoid spreading laurel wilt? This 4-page fact sheet summarizes a UF/IFAS study providing evidence that a simple technique — chipping the dead trees — can help contain the disease within a small area and that there is a low probability of long-distance movement of LW via wood chips. Written by Don Spence, Jason Smith, Albert Mayfield III, Jiri Huler, Randy Ploetz and Lukasz Stelinski, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, November 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr351
2012 Florida Policy Issues and Elections (FE899)
Since the legislative session will convene on January 10, rather than on the typical start date in March, it’s time for all Florida residents to begin thinking and educating themselves. This 4-page fact sheet explains some of the key 2012 policy issues. Written by Rodney L. Clouser, and published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, November 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe899
Goliath Grouper: Giant of the Reef (SGEF179/SG103)
Management of the goliath grouper, the largest member of the seabass family, has become an intensely debated issue in recent years. This 5-page fact sheet provides factual information on the biology and ecology of goliath grouper relevant to these issues. Written by John Stevely and Bryan Fluech and published by the UF Department of Sea Grant, September 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg103
Identification, Impacts, and Control of Ragweed Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) (ENH1187/EP448)
One of the worlds most invasive weeds, this member of the Asteraceae family is a problem in Africa, Australia, India, and is increasingly a problem in Florida. Learn more in this 10-page fact sheet was written by Robert H. Stamps, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep448
Wright’s Nutrush: An Invader of Seasonal Wetlands in Florida (SSAGR342/AG352)
This non-native sedge has been increasing in Florida wetlands. This 9-page fact sheet describes its distribution, history and impacts, ecological overview, integrated management and identification. Written by Colette C. Jacono, Kenneth A. Langeland, and Jeffrey Hutchinson, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, November 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag352
Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems: Trace Organic Chemicals (SL352/SS554)
Trace organic chemicals are potentially harmful to human and ecosystem health. They frequently occur in wastewater from septic systems and can be found in concentrations orders of magnitude higher than typical concentrations reported in centralized treatment plant wastewater. This 7-page fact sheet identifies common trace organic chemicals of concern in wastewater and their sources, and summarizes current research on the fate and transport of these chemicals in septic systems. Written by Gurpal S. Toor, Mary Lusk, and Tom Obreza, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, November 2011. (photo CC BY-SA 3.0 Mila)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss554
An Overview of Nutrient Budgets for Use in Nutrient Management Planning (SL361/SS562)
For professionals responsible for ensuring water quality, this 4-page fact sheet describes the types and limitations of nutrient budgets. Written by Amy L. Shober, George Hochmuth, and Christine Wiese, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, November 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss562
Eastern Black Swallowtail: Papilio polyxenes asterius (Stoll) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) (EENY504/IN906)
Although it is admired for its beauty, the eastern black swallowtail is one of the very few butterflies that may occasionally be considered a pest. Learn more in this 8-page fact sheet written by Donald Hall and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in906
Question Mark Polygonia interrogationis (Fabricius) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Nymphalinae) (EENY506/IN908)
This common, medium-sized butterfly of wooded areas and suburbs resembles a dead leaf when its wings are folded. Learn more in this 6-page fact sheet written by Donald Hall and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in908
Emerald Ash Borer: A Potential Future Threat to Ash Trees in Florida (FOR284/FR346)
Do not move firewood into or around the state! This invasive exotic beetle kills ash trees and is likely to reach Florida in the years to come — or faster if it gets transported by humans. Learn more in this 5-page fact sheet was written by Don Spence and Jason Smith, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr346
The American Alligator: An Indicator Species for Everglades Restoration (WEC313/UW358)
Scientists working on Everglades restoration cannot monitor everything in the ecosystem to determine the effectiveness of their efforts, so they use “ecological indicators” such as the American alligator. Learn how this works in this 3-page fact sheet written by Rebecca G. Harvey, Frank J. Mazzotti, and Laura A. Brandt, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw358